U.S. patent application number 10/577533 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for tool for connection and disconnection of cargo.
Invention is credited to Ole Molaug.
Application Number | 20070222243 10/577533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29775132 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070222243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Molaug; Ole |
September 27, 2007 |
Tool for Connection and Disconnection of Cargo
Abstract
A tool (1) for connection and disconnection of a cargo item (8),
in which the tool (1) comprises a suspension (2) and a lifting hook
(4), and in which the lifting hook (4) is rotatably connected,
about its suspension axis (40), to the suspension (2), wherein the
lifting hook (4) is connected to an actuator (22, 28, 32, 70) via a
transmission (44, 46, 48, 50, 54, 60), the actuator (22, 28, 32,
70) being arranged to allow it to rotate the lifting hook (4) about
the suspension axis (40).
Inventors: |
Molaug; Ole; (Bryne,
NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDRUS, SCEALES, STARKE & SAWALL, LLP
100 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
29775132 |
Appl. No.: |
10/577533 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 27, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO04/00325 |
371 Date: |
January 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/82.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 45/025 20130101;
B66C 1/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/082.3 |
International
Class: |
B66C 1/34 20060101
B66C001/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2003 |
NO |
20034842 |
Claims
1. A tool (1) for connection and disconnection of a cargo item (8),
in which the tool (1) comprises a suspension (2) and a lifting hook
(4), and in which the lifting hook (4) is rotatably connected,
about its suspension axis (40), to the suspension (2),
characterised in that the lifting hook (4) is connected to an
actuator (22, 28, 32, 70) via a transmission (44, 46, 48, 50, 54,
60), the actuator (22, 28, 32, 70) being arranged to allow it to
rotate the lifting hook (4) about the suspension axis (40).
2. The tool (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the
lifting hook (4) is articulately connected to a middle centre-cross
of a pair of double-scissors (22) by means of a middle bearing
(24), a lower centre-cross of the pair of double-scissors (22)
being articulately connected to the suspension (2) of the tool (1)
by means of a lower bearing (26), and wherein a transmission (44,
46, 48, 50, 54, 60) provided for the rotating function of the hook
(1) about its suspension axis (40) is releasably connectable to an
upper centre-cross of the pair of scissors by means of an upper
bearing (30).
3. The tool according to claim 2, characterised in that the pair of
double-scissors (22) is resiliently biased in the direction of its
extended position by means of a spring (32).
4. The tool according to claim 1, characterised in that a
load-bearing guide rod (20) movable in the suspension (2) is
lockable relative to the suspension (2).
5. The tool according to claim 4, characterised in that the guide
rod (20) is arranged to be locked in the suspension (2) by means of
a first locking arm (64).
6. The tool according to claim 5, characterised in that the first
locking arm (64) is remotely releasable by means of a first trigger
(68).
7. The tool according to claim 6, characterised in that the first
trigger (68) is activated by means of a radio transmitter (78), a
receiver (80) and a control unit (74).
8. The tool according to claim 1, characterised in that a second
link arm (46), which is arranged to allow it to rotate the lifting
hook (4) about the suspension axis (40) of the hook (4) by means of
rotating a first link arm (44) about a connection point, is
connected to a guide (50) by means of a locking joint (48).
9. The tool according to claim 8, characterised in that the
direction between the connection point of the locking joint (48)
substantially is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of
the second link arm (46) and a guideway (52) for the guide (50)
when the locking joint (48) is in its locking position.
Description
[0001] This invention concerns a tool for connection and
disconnection of cargo. More particularly, it concerns a tool in
which the lifting hook of the tool is arranged for it to be
rotatable about its suspension axis, said hook being
remote-controlled by means of an actuator. If the lifting hook is
rotated sufficiently about its suspension axis, the lifting hook
will enable the disconnection of a cargo item connected to the
lifting hook.
[0002] Hereinafter, the term "hook" is used for the lifting hook.
Terms such as "upper", "lower", etc. reflect the positioning when
the tool is used in association with a lifting device, and the
terms generally imply no limitation concerning the spatial
orientation of the device.
[0003] When lifting a cargo item, it is common to place a
connecting tool of the cargo item, for example in the form of a
connection ring or a strap, in a hook. To prevent the connecting
tool from unintentionally being released from the hook when the
lift is unloaded, it is a statutory requirement that a device
arranged to prevent such an occurrence is present in association
with the hook.
[0004] In order to comply with the statutory requirement, it is
common to provide the hook with a spring-biased locking dog
projecting over the opening of the hook and being arranged for
rotation inwards into the opening of the hook only. In another
prior art solution, the locking dog is a fixed part of the
suspension of the hook, whereas the hook is lockable and rotatable
about its own suspension axis.
[0005] The locking dog of the hook presupposes that cargo at the
unloading location cannot be disconnected from the hook without
carrying out a manual work operation. Thus, it is common to employ
a person at the disconnection location substantially solely to
disconnect the cargo from the hook.
[0006] The object of the invention is to remedy or restrict at
least one of the disadvantages of prior art.
[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention and by
means of the features disclosed in the description below and in the
subsequent claims.
[0008] By rotating the hook about its suspension axis by means of a
actuator, preferably being remote-controlled, it is possible for a
crane driver, for example, to disconnect a cargo item without
assistance from a person located at the disconnection location.
[0009] It is of great importance, however, to ensure that the cargo
item cannot be unintentionally disconnected from the hook.
According to the invention, this precautionary function is
maintained preferably by means of a mechanical interlocking
presupposing that the hook must be unloaded, and that the actuator
must be released, remote-controlled or manually, in order for
disconnection of the cargo item to occur.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the hook is load-bearingly
connected to a middle centre-cross of a pair of double-scissors
located in the suspension. The lower centre-cross of the pair of
scissors is rotatably connected to the suspension of the tool,
whereas a transmission for the rotating action of the hook may be
releasably connected to the upper centre-cross of the pair of
scissors.
[0011] The pair of scissors is resiliently biased in the direction
of its extended position. The tool makes use of the fact that the
distance covered by the upper centre-cross relative to the
suspension, is twice the length of the distance covered by the
middle centre-cross.
[0012] This characteristic is used for loading, interlocking and
releasing the hook, such as explained in greater detail in the
specific part of the description.
[0013] Using a tool according to the invention ensures that a cargo
item placed in the hook may not be unintentionally disconnected
from the hook, and that disconnection of the cargo item may occur
without requiring a person to be present at the disconnection
location.
[0014] In the following, a non-limiting example of a preferred
embodiment is described and illustrated on the attached drawings,
in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a tool connected to a lifting wire, in which a
cargo item is placed in the hook of the tool;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows, partly schematically and in larger scale, a
section of the suspension of the tool and an actuator for releasing
the hook, the hook being in its unloaded position;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows the same as in FIG. 2, but here the hook is in
its load-bearing position;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows the same as in FIG. 2, but here the hook is in
its released position; and
[0019] FIG. 5 shows schematically a connection diagram of the
remote control of the tool.
[0020] On the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a tool
comprising a suspension 2 and a hook 4, in which the suspension 2
is connected to a lifting wire 6 of a lifting crane (not shown),
and in which a lifting strap 10 of a cargo item 8 is suspended in
the hook 4.
[0021] By means of screw connections (not shown), an end lid 12 is
connected to a housing 14 of the suspension 2, see FIG. 2. A guide
bearing 16 is provided in the end lid 12, the guide bearing 16
being provided with concentric, through-going bore 18 relative to a
longitudinal axis of the tool 1.
[0022] A guide rod 20 is movably provided in the bore 18. At its
upper end portion, the guide rod 20 is connected to a middle
centre-cross of a pair of double-scissors 22 by means of a middle
bearing 24. In a practical embodiment, the suspension is provided
with a pair of double-scissors 22 at each side of the guide rod 20.
For illustrative reasons, the drawings only show one pair of
double-scissors 22.
[0023] At its lower centre-cross, the pair of double-scissors 22 is
connected to the end lid 12 by means of a lower bearing 26, and at
its upper centre-cross to a centre sleeve 28 by means of an upper
bearing 30.
[0024] Between its two adjacent side crosses, the pair of
double-scissors 22 is provided with respective springs 32, here in
the form of gas springs, the gas springs 32 being arranged to
resiliently bias the pair of double-scissors 22 in the direction of
its extended position.
[0025] At its opposite end portion, the guide rod 20 is connected
to two support plates 38 via a chain connection 34 and a connector
36. On the drawing, one support plate 38 is removed.
[0026] Rotatable about its suspension axis 40, the hook 4 is
connected to the support plates 38. The hook 4 together with the
support plates 38, the connector 36, the chain connection 34, the
guide rod 20, the pair of double-scissors 22, the end lid 12 and
the housing 14, constitute the load-bearing structure of the tool.
In a practical embodiment (not shown), when the guide rod 20 is in
its lower, load-bearing position, the upper portion of the guide
rod 20 lands against the end lid 12 in order for the pair of
double-scissors 22 not to be exposed to the entire lifting
force.
[0027] A spring-loaded locking dog 42 is provided in a known manner
near the hook 4.
[0028] A first link arm 44 is rotatably connected to the hook 4 at
its first end portion. At its second end portion, the first link
arm 44 is rotatably connected to a first end portion of a second
link arm 46. The opposite end portion of the second link arm 46 is
rotatably connected to the support plates 38.
[0029] At its middle portion, the second link arm 46 is connected
to one end portion of a locking joint 48. The opposite end portion
of the locking joint 48 is rotatably connected to a guide 50, guide
50 being arranged to be movable along vertical guideways 52 in the
support plates 38.
[0030] When the guide 50 is in its lower, locking position in the
guideway 52, see FIG. 2 and 3, the locking joint 48 maintains the
second link arm 46 in position and prevents it from rotating about
its connection in the support plates 38. Thereby, the first link
arm 44 is also locked in its position, whereby the hook 4 is
prevented from rotating about its suspension axis 40.
[0031] Two release lines 54 extend from the guide 50 through
corresponding bores 56 in the connector 36, bores 58 in the guide
rod 20 and up to a locking piece 60. At its upper portion, the
locking piece 60 is provided with a locking groove 62.
[0032] A first locking arm 64, which is movably connected to the
guide bearing 16, is arranged to grip, in a spring-biased manner,
the guide rod 20 in a catch groove 66, see FIG. 3. The first
locking arm 64 may be pulled out of the catch groove 66 by means of
a first trigger 68.
[0033] A second locking arm 70, which is movably connected to the
centre sleeve 28, is arranged to grip, in a spring-biased manner,
the locking piece 60 in the locking groove 62, see FIG. 3. The
second locking arm 70 may be pulled out of the locking groove 62 by
means of a second trigger 72.
[0034] The pair of double-scissors 22, the centre sleeve 28, the
gas springs 32 and the second locking arm 70, constitute an
actuator. The first link arm 44, the second link arm 46, the
locking joint 48, the guide 50, the release lines 54 and the
locking piece 60, comprise a transmission between said actuator and
the hook 4.
[0035] The triggers 68 and 72 are controlled via an electric
control unit 74. The control unit 74 receives control signals from
a radio transmitter 78 provided with a switch 76, the radio
transmitter 78 transmitting a signal to a receiver 80 connected to
the control unit 74. An accumulator 82 supplies energy to the
control unit 74.
[0036] The initial position of the tool 1 is shown in FIG. 2. In
this position, the pair of double-scissors 22 is extended outwards,
inasmuch as the gas springs 32 have overcome the weight of the
connected, movable parts.
[0037] The guide rod 20 is thus displaced somewhat into the end lid
12. The locking piece 60 extends somewhat into the centre sleeve
28.
[0038] When a cargo item 8 is lifted, see FIG. 3, the force from
the gas springs 32 is overcome, whereby the pair of double-scissors
22 is pushed together as the guide rod 20 is displaced somewhat out
of the end lid 12. The guide rod 20 is locked in this position by
the first locking arm 64 being displaced into the catch groove
66.
[0039] Due to the design of the pair of double-scissors 22, the
relative displacement length of the upper bearing 30 is twice the
length of the displacement length of the middle bearing 24. This
causes the locking piece 60 to displace further up through the
centre sleeve 28, allowing the second locking arm 70 to seize the
locking groove 62 of the locking piece 60.
[0040] In this position, the tool 1 is loaded in the sense that
sufficient energy is stored in the gas springs 32 to enable
rotation of the hook 4 about its suspension axis 40. However, the
hook 4 is safeguarded against unintentional disconnection by the
first locking arm 64 preventing a displacement of the guide rod 20
in the end lid 12, even if the tool 1 is unloaded.
[0041] When the cargo item 8 is to be disconnected from the hook 4,
the tool 1 must be unloaded in order to allow the gas springs 32 to
displace the guide rod 20 upwards. Moreover, the first locking arm
64 must be displaced out of its locking position in the catch
groove 66.
[0042] The first locking arm 64 is displaced out of the catch
groove 66 by the switch 76 of the radio transmitter 78 being
operated a first time. A signal is transmitted to the control unit
74 from the radio transmitter 78 via the receiver 80. The control
unit 74 is programmed to interpret this first signal such that the
first trigger 68 is to be activated. The first trigger 68 thereby
displaces the first locking arm 64 out of its locking position.
[0043] Thereafter, the gas springs 32 may freely displace the pair
of double-scissors to its extended position, see FIG. 4. The
locking piece 60, which is connected to the centre sleeve 28 by
means of the second locking arm 70, is thus displaced twice the
length upwards relative to that of the guide rod 20. Thereby, the
release lines 54 displace the guide 50 upwards in the guideway 52.
This causes the second link arm 46 to rotate about its connection
in the support plate 38, whereby the hook 4 is rotated about its
suspension axis 40 by means of the first link arm 44.
[0044] By operating the switch 76 a second time, a signal is
provided, the signal of which the control unit 74 is programmed to
interpret such that the second trigger 72 is to be activated. The
second trigger 72 thereby displaces the second locking arm 70 out
of its locking position in the locking groove 62. Thus, the locking
piece 60 may be displaced downwards in the centre sleeve 28,
whereby the guide 50 is displaced downwards in the guideway 52.
This causes the hook 4 to rotate to its initial position, see FIG.
2.
* * * * *